Orchard heater



June 12, 1934. J. MER 1,962,405

ORCHARD HEATER Filed Sept. 9, 1951 v fixer claw/m Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED srlras PATENT" OFFICE This invention is directed to an improvement in fuel burning heaters designed particularly for use as orchard heaters.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a heater which is of peculiar shape, in

providing for a more active combustion and more intense heat with the same fuel.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an air vent approximately at the midheight of the heater to permit the oxygen from the atmosphere to unite with the gases formed in the combustion of the fuel to increase the intensity of the heat generated by the heater.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cover for the heater constructed of a single rectangular sheet of metal, the corners of which are turned down to provide fingers for frictionally engaging the sides of the heater to conveniently facilitate the application and removal of the cover, and to provide for adjustment to any position to act as a check damper as well as an outlet for smoke.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the improved heater, the top being shown in place;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the top.

The improved heater comprises a metallic, preferably sheet metal, structure 1 of appropriate size and fully open at the bottom 2. The bottom of the structure is of oval form and the side wall 3 rising from the bottom gradually converges in a cone-like form, the degree of convergence providing for the merging of the side wall from the bottom edge where it is of oval shape in transverse section into a true circular form at the upper edge, the diameter of the upper edge of the wall being less than the minor diameter of the bottom edge. Thus the body of the structure, which is fully open both at the bottom and at the top, has a minor diameter at the oval-shaped bottom which exceeds the diameter of thecircular-shaped top. .Thus the body presents a maximum fuel area at the bottom, which transverse area is gradually restricted and changed in form until at the top the transverse area is circular in form, with its diameter reduced as compared with the H least or minor dimension at the bottom.

7 Anopening 4 is provided near the base to give access to the interior for lighting and as a draft opening.

The wall of the body about mid-height is formed with another opening 8 which is open to the atmosphere and provides for the admission of air to the interior of the body to provide the desired oxygen admission to the gases of combustion and fuel. The cover 5 is formed of a square sheet, the corners 6 of which are turned down to form fingers '7. The cover as thus formed presents a dimension in line with the fingers slightly exceeding that of the diameter of the upper end of the body and the turned-down fingers 6 are preferably bent slightly inwardly so that the cover may be frictionally engaged with the upper end of the body by merely forcing the fingers down over the body. The inclined formation of the body adjacent the upper end insures a frictional engagement of the fingers of the cover with the body and thus temporarily holds the cover in place against casual disturbance. The frictional engagement of the cover with the upper edges of the body permits the cover to be arranged in contact with the upper edge of the body or in varying spaced relation thereto, thus afiording readily regulatable damper effect and smoke escape.

By reason of the tapered formation of the body and the reduced circular formation of the upper portion of the body, there is a tendency for the smoke and other gases of combustion of the fuel to be directed toward the top of the body in the nature or" a flue suction, this smoke and gases of combustion being permitted to escape between the upper edge of the body and the top through the space afforded by the cooperation of the substantially vertical fingers and the inclined wall of the top. There is thus a natural draft increased by the formation of the body which tends to keep the fire clear of choking or back pressure, thus tending to a more active combustion of the fuel and a more intense heating of the body, with a consequent radiation of greater heat into the surrounding atmosphere to protect the trees or plants. The provision of the vent at substantially half the height of the body permits the introduction of oxygen to combine with the gases of combustion and fuel, with a consequent and well understood intensifying of the heating effect.

Another advantage incident to the oblate form of the bottom of the lower portion of the heater is the capability of the user varying the direct radiating heat, insofar as direction is concerned, to suit particular conditions. It will, of course, be apparent that incident to such form, the ends, i.e. the portion in line with the major diameter, present a materially less direct radiating surface than do the sides or the portions in line With and parallel to the minor diameter. Therefore, under ordinary conditions the heat radiating directly from the ends will be materially less than the heat radiating directly from the sides. Under these circumstances, the user desiring the maximum heat radiation in connection with a particular tree, for example, may arrange the heater so that the broader radiating surface is next the tree or, if desiring a materially less direct heat radiation in connection with a particular tree, may arrange the heater with one of the ends pointing toward the tree. This provides a degree of control incident particularly to the form of the lower portion and, therefore, the hottest portion of the heater.

The device as a whole is constructed simply of sheet metal and is obviously of extreme economic construction. The earth on which the device rests provides the support for the fuel. used in the heater. As these orchard heaters are used in large numbers throughout an orchard, it is important that they be capable of generating maximum heat and at the same time be of simplified and economic construction. The present device admirably answers these purposes, lending by its formation a clearing of the fuel bed to assist in active combustion, while providing at the same time through the simplicity of the cover attachment a means by which the draft may be controlled and the heater may be recharged conveniently when necessary.

I claim:

An orchard heater comprising an open-ended structure circular at the top and of oval shape at the bottom, the minor diameter of the bottom being substantially greater than the diameter of the top, said structure being formed with an opening midway of its height to provide an air inlet to allow oxygen to mix with the products of combustion to increase the heat, the oval form of the bottom of the heater providing in line with the major diameter a materially reduced direct radiating surface as compared with the sides of the bottom in line with the minor diameter, whereby the heat radiating effect from the bottom maybe controlled by the position of the oval shape of the bottom in relation to the tree to be subjected to such heat.

JESSE E. PALMER. 

